The New Orleans area was about the only part of the state to not get tropical storm force winds from Laura, but that doesn't mean this region dodged all severe weather.
In addition to occasional heavy rains, there was the possibility for tornadoes.
"We want to make sure that we're looking out for that" said New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Collin Arnold. "If you see a tornado warning, you should seek shelter immediately."
"That would be the big concern right now, and just heavy rain, continuing on throughout the day which is what we're watching," said Arnold. The city of New Orleans lifted parking restrictions, allowing drivers to use sidewalks and neutral grounds to get their cars above street level and avoid possible flooding.
Arnold says in the meantime, urban search and rescue personnel are ready to help out in the affected areas and assist the city's neighbors in any way they can. He said a few hundred evacuees from southwestern Louisiana are staying in hotel rooms in the city, part of the state's and FEMA's non-congregant shelter program during the coronavirus pandemic.
